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Friday, September 22, 2017

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 22
(PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga region will launch an
information kiosk for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in
celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month and National Maritime
Week on Sept. 27, 29 and 30.

PIA Caraga Regional
Director Abner Caga said these kiosks will help the participants know more
about the programs, projects and activities of ASEAN and other government agencies.

On September 27, the
information kiosks will be installed during the Media and Communicators forum,
to be conducted by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
(OPAPP) in partnership with PIA-Caraga.

The forum will be
participated by different media practitioners in the region and communication
officers from different national and local government agencies.

On September 29 to 30,
PIA will set-up another kiosk at the Robinsons Atrium in Butuan City, where
different stakeholders will gather to celebrate the National Maritime Week.
Students from different schools will also have a chance to know more about
ASEAN through a video showing activity.

The kiosk will contain
various information, education and communication (IEC) materials on ASEAN, such
as its history, priorities, endeavors and benefits. (NCLM, PIA-Caraga)

National Remote Sensing
Conference 2017 set in Butuan City

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 22
(PIA) – The Local Organizing Committee of Caraga Center for Geo-Informatics
Caraga is inviting everyone to participate in this year’s Philippine National
Remote Sensing Conference (NRSC) to be held on November 28-29 in one of the
local convention centers in the city.

Engr. Meriam
Makinano-Santillan, chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee said that the
NRSC 2017 is jointly organized by the Caraga Center for Geo-Informatics of the
Caraga State University (CSU), and the Philippine Geosciences and Remote
Sensing Society (PhilGRSS).

“The NRSC 2017 will
bring together local and international scientists, engineers, researchers,
decision-makers, users and interested individuals, groups from the academe,
government, industry and non-governmental organizations to communicate and
actively exchange technical information on Remote Sensing and related
geospatial science and technology,” said Santillan.

Santillan also said that
the theme “Remote Sensing Science for the People,” aims to showcase the
country’s best in Remote Sensing and Geosciences research and services, and to
recognize their contributions in the development of the country.

“The NRSC 2017 will also
discuss the potential and practical uses of this exciting field of science and
technology on reducing economic inequality, creating more opportunities, and
expanding the potential for growth as a country,” Santillan added.

To join, each
participant will have to pay the conference registration fee of P3,500.00,
which is inclusive of conference badge, conference kit, programme and Book of
Abstracts, Certificate of Participation, as well as meals for each day of the
conference. It also entitles the participant to attend the welcome dinner and
fellowship night. All participants are required to pre-register online at
http://nrsc2017.ccgeo.info/register/. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 22
(PIA) – As part of the culmination activity of the 117th Philippine Civil
Service anniversary celebration, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Caraga will
gather government employees and partner stakeholders for the conduct of “Zumba
for a Cause” on Sept. 29, 2017 at the City Sports Complex, this city.

“This activity is in
keeping with the government’s program of providing physical wellness activities
to public servants. This time, though, we do it for a cause,” said CSC Caraga
Regional Director Resurreccion Pueyo.

To join, each
participant needs to pay a registration fee of P200.00. Light snacks will be
provided during the activity.

Pueyo added that said
fundraising activity, duly approved by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) with Permit No.: DSWD-SB-SP-‎00019-2017, aims to
raise funds for the Pamanang Lingkod Bayani or PLBi which grants financial
assistance and scholarship to family members of government officials who died
in the line of duty.

For more information,
you may contact CSC Caraga ‎(085) 342-6090 or ‎0933-868-6127/ ‎0956-127-3833. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS Caraga
lights up communities in SurSur town

By April Mae N. Waban
& Marko Davey D. Reyes

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 22 –
Street lights powered by solar energy will now brighten up some communities in
the city, as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through
the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of
Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program turned over solar-powered streetlights
to two barangays in the municipality of Carmen.

Residents of Barangay
Cancavan received 40-unit solar powered streetlights worth P1,244,728.80 while
Barangay Antao got 28-unit solar powered streetlights worth P874,750 during the
back-to-back inauguration. This community project was realized through the
collaboration of the KALAHI-CIDSS community volunteers with the support of the
Local Government Unit (LGU) of Carmen.

The office of DSWD
KALAHI-CIDSS was represented by the Community Infrastructure Officer (CIO) III
of the Sub-Regional Program Management Office (SRPMO) Surigao, Engr. Wilfredo
T. Maquiling Jr. and the Area Coordinating Team (ACT) of Carmen headed by
Divina S. Nilda.

Before the streetlights
were installed, inhabitants of the two barangays relied on regular light bulbs
and gas lamps to light up their homes and roads at night. Several cases of
theft were reported in the area of which most residents say they mainly
attributed to the lack of streetlights.

Rosalie R. Berador,
barangay kagawad of Cancavan, shared how most people of the barangay used to
dread the unlit pathways when night falls.

The said community
project was identified as a priority need during the DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS
facilitated Barangay Participatory Situational Analysis (BPSA) activity where
communities gather to assess and analyze current socio-economic and political
situation. Using the Community-Driven Development (CDD) principle, different
stakeholders in the community are encouraged to partake in determining pressing
community needs, as well as proposing and implementing solutions to their
needs.

Barangay Representation
Team (BRT) Chairperson of Antao, Rosalinda M. Elimanco, appreciated the process
she went through in the course of their project implementation. She highlighted
this in her testimonial speech during the inauguration.

“Adisir matapos ang usa
ka proyekto, muagi pa ug daghan proseso. Dili lalim na himuon pero nagpasalamat
ako sa tanan trainings na akong na agian pinaagi sa Kalahi-CIDSS. Magamit kini
nako [para ma improve ]akong kaugalingon ug ang komunidad (Before a project is
completed, it will go through a lot of process. It is not easy to do but I am
grateful for all the trainings I have undergone through KALAHI-CIDSS. I can use
them to [improve] myself and the community,” Elimanco shared.

The cost-efficient and
environment friendly solar-powered technology will benefit around 107
households of Brgy. Cancavan and 236 households of Brgy. Antao.

Plaza thanked the
community volunteers of the beneficiary barangays and hoped that they will not
waver from helping their communities. She also asked their continued
cooperation as the municipality was newly granted a funding for their Food
Terminal project from the DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS Livelihood & Enterprise
(L&E) modality.

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del
Sur, Sept. 22 – Mangosteen calamansi mix, mangosteen dragon fruit mix and
all-purpose kalamansi extract – all in powder form. These are the new products
that Hillsview Food Products first introduced to the market in its participation
to the 14th China ASEAN Exposition (CAEXPO).

Company owner Irenea
Hitgano, together with son Choy, attended personally to the “overwhelming
inquiries and interest from potential distributors of their products” as
reported by the Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Sur (DTI-AdS) Trade
Promotion Officer Corazon dela Peña.

Dela Peña said the
company hired its own interpreter to be able to respond to clients most of
which cannot communicate in English. Two volunteer interpreters tapped by the
Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) also assisted
them.

Aside from assisting
Hillsview Food Products, CITEM also helped Sunrise Corn Coffee, another Agusan
del Sur producer and Agusan del Norte’s bottled bangus producer, Jida Aqua
Resources, and other Philippine exhibitors in this year’s CAEXPO. This event
was held on September 12 to 15 at the Nanning International Convention and
Exhibition Center (NICEC).

Hitgano, discovering the
optimal and “medically beneficial” use of her mangosteen tree plantation via
its tea concoctions, has successfully grown the market for her products
throughout the country in just three years.

It aims to expand the
supply base of internationally-competitive Philippine export products and
services by extending strategic company-level interventions such as capacity
building trainings, product development, market information, global product
trends, to participating companies to make them export-ready, or to enhance
their export capacity and competitiveness.

The Program prepares
these companies to compete in terms of volume, quality, price, packaging,
compliance with market entry requirements, rules and regulations, and design
leadership, or alignment with current design trends. When deemed export-ready,
these companies are matched with prospective foreign buyers, and their products
are promoted in the export market.

NICEC holds several
sections including the Guangxi Exhibition Hall (for CAEXPO Agriculture
Exhibition 2017) and the Pavilion of Commodity Trade, where member countries of
the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) exhibited food and
beverage, consumer goods, raw materials, ASEAN Coffee. Other foreign countries
also featured some of their food, consumer goods, tourism, advisory, consulting
service, machinery and equipment, among others.

The CAEXPO was
co-sponsored by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the 10 ASEAN member states, as
well as the ASEAN Secretariat. It was organized by the People’s Government of
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del
Sur, Sept. 22 – The province of Agusan del Sur (AdS) was represented by two of
its pioneering women entrepreneurs during the 14th China ASEAN Exposition
(CAEXPO).

Alice Paglinawan of
Sunrise Corn Coffee and Irenea Hitgano of Hillsview Food Products and Jannicah
Food Products featured their goods at the Nanning International Convention and
Exhibition Center (NICEC).

Paglinawan pioneered the
use of native corn in Agusan del Sur for a brew that was ranged against
mainstream and specialty coffee from coffee beans.

Hitgano on the other
hand, discovered the optimal and “medically beneficial” of her mangosteen tree
plantation through its tea and mangosteen fruit extract, mixed with calamansi
and dragon fruit.

The two were graduates
of the first batch of the Agusan del Sur's Kapatid Mentor Me program.

Their participation was
supported by the Departments of Trade & Industry (DTI) and Department of
Agriculture (DA).

PNP Caraga Regional
Director PCSupt. Rolando Felix said 33 Police Commissioned Officers, 587 Police
Non-Commissioned Officers and 48 from the National Support Units have passed
the qualification standards for appointment to the higher PNP ranks, based on
the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Resolution No. ‎2013-501.

The promotion was a
result of the merit system to give recognition to the PNP uniformed personnel
and uplift the morale of the police force.

During the acceptance
speeches, PCInsp. Darwin Y. Yu and SPO4 Ramil D. Ondona thanked the Promotion
Board and the whole PNP organization for the promotion given to them.

“I am expecting that you
will have a greater commitment to our principles and renewed a sense of service
as you accept this promotion. I am looking forward also that you will become
good role models of competence, discipline, excellence and professionalism in
the police force,” said Felix. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

Negosyo Center in
Carrascal town now accepts biz name registration

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del
Sur, Sept. 22 (PIA) – Carrascal is the latest town in Surigao del Sur to have a
Negosyo Center (NC) and is now accepting application for the Department of
Trade and Industry Business Name (DTI-BN) Registration.

The Negosyo Center is
located at the 2nd floor of the Bus Terminal Building in Barangay Gamuton,
Carrascal.

According to DTI Senior
Industry Specialist and NC Carrascal Manager Sarah Estrada, the DTI Business
Name registration is valid for five years and costs about P215 to P2,015,
depending on the territorial scope of the business and would only take 45
minutes to process.

“For barangay scope, it
only costs P215.00; for municipal, it is worth P515.00; for regional, it costs
P1,015.00; and for national scope, it will be P2,015.00,” said Estrada.

For requirements and
more information about Negosyo Center services, they may visit the center and
look for Stephanie Dawn or Rea or send an email to nccarrascalsds@gmail.com.
(DTI/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Agnor PPOC strengthens
fight vs. illegal drugs

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 22
(PIA) – To further strengthen our fight against illegal drugs, the Agusan del
Norte Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) conducted its annual Search for
Best Performing Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs) in the province.

Governor Ma. Angelica
Rosedell M. Amante-Matba, Chairperson of the PPOC, mandated the local
government units (LGUs) to upscale their major role in preventing illegal drugs
in the locality through ADACs.

ADACs at all levels in
the province – from the municipalities down to the barangays are now activated.

The Search, which
recognizes the anti-drug related efforts of different LGUs in the province, is
now on its 4th year of implementation. The evaluation mechanism also aims to
institutionalize the sustainability of ADACs.

The evaluators of the
Search have started its records assessment and validation of different ADACs in
10 barangays, 10 municipalities and one city. The evaluations, which started on
August 24, will assess the documentary evidences of the performances,
initiatives, and practices of ADACs on their fight against illegal drugs for
the period June 2016 to July 2017.

During the assessment,
the evaluators will also give possible recommendations and suggestions for
their improvement. Each ADACs will be rated base on the criteria set by the council
that is: organization and meetings; policies, plans and budget;
accomplishments; and best practices and innovations.

The winners of the
search will be recognized during the annual Accelerating New Dimensions on Good
Governance and Excellence in Local Leadership (ANGELL) Program in the province.

The city and/or
municipal ADAC winners will receive an ANGELL trophy and cash prizes of
P100,000; 75,000; and 50,000 for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placers, respectively.
The Barangay ADAC winners will also receive an ANGELL trophy and cash prizes of
P15,000; 10,000; and 5,000 for the top three winners.

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 22 –
From production support to marketing assistance, Department of Agriculture’s
(DA’s) intervention links the Farm Service Providers (FSP) to local rice
dealers in the region.

AgusPinoy Inc. and Sto
Niño Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SNMPC) are now ready to supply their
well-milled rice to the various institutional buyers in the region.

A total of nine
individual entrepreneurs and four cooperatives have signified their interest
and willingness to buy a significant volume of well-milled rice from FSPs.

DA's Agribusiness and
Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) provides market linkage for the FSPs and
buyers. The deal was sealed by the signing of a marketing agreement between
both parties under the Corporate Rice Farming Program (CRFP).

“Part of our assistance
is to become a consolidator to find market linkages to our local farmers. The
marketing agreement between the FSPs and local buyers is the result of our
market matching. We continually assist our farmers, as we are advocating agriculture
as a viable business enterprise,” said AMAD Chief Lynn A. Pareñas.

Both FSPs will have a
guaranteed market for a year through the establishment of the partnership with
the local buyers. An estimation of ₱40.7 million total sales
is forecasted for SNMPC while AgusPinoy Inc., has an estimated ₱24.2 million total sales.

“We already established
our trust and confidence with SNMPC and AgusPinoy Inc., in terms of the quality
of their product. That is why we are sealing the deal with them as our source
of quality rice,” said Mangagoy Fishermen Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MAFISCO)
Business Manager Rho Cougee C. Garido.

To ensure quality and
adequate supply of rice, DA will provide each FSP the appropriate farm inputs,
technologies, and services to increase their farm productivity.

Aside from the
additional income to the FSPs, CRFP also promotes local food sovereignty.
(DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

The group undergone an
eight-month long training on Communal Vegetable Project implemented by Winrock
International in Caraga under the Philippine Cold Chain Project, funded by the
United States Department of Agriculture and in partnership with the East-West
Seed Company.

The activity was a good
avenue for showcasing their vegetable produce through product display and
improving farmers’ confidence by sharing new ideas and technologies

DRCHVPA Chairman Hector
Dela Cruz said that vegetable farming is most fulfilling when the farmers
experience an increase on their income due to the growth of their crops.

Dela Cruz was thankful
for the developments happening in Tubay, through the efforts and coordination
of local government partners and other key government agencies.

With the upcoming
assistance from DAR’s Project Converge, the group is hoping to become
commercially viable and to be able to distribute their products in other
markets.

DAR Planning Officer II
Annelyn R. Chan said that the sustainability of the project can be achieved if
the members work together to reduce many uncertainties.

“On the part of DAR, we
have been helping the farmers-beneficiaries through coop strengthening program,
developing entrepreneurial skills and other support services to maximize the
utilization of the awarded lands,” Chan added. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan
del Norte)

New police stations
inaugurated in Caraga

￼

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 22 –
Police CSupt. Rolando Felix, Caraga Police Director, with the local officials
of Agusan del Sur spearheaded the inauguration of new police stations in the
towns of Loreto and Sta. Josefa in Agusan del Sur.

PSupt. Gilbert Ilagan,
Regional Pastoral Officer, officiated the blessing of the new three storey
police station buildings.

Loreto Mayor Ligaya
Otaza expressed her gratitude to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga
for the improvement of its facilities and the delivery of police services to
the community. The lady mayor further promised to extend more financial support
for the requirements of the newly-built Loreto Municipal Police Station.

Meanwhile, the Local
Government Unit (LGU) officials of Sta. Josefa led by Vice Mayor Richard Plaza
joined in the inauguration and also thanked the Caraga police for the new
police station.

“The constructions of
these police stations have been realized due to the collaboration between the
police and the local government units,” Felix said as he thanked the LGU
officials for their sustained support to the PNP.

He also urged the police
officers to provide better services from these new police stations by ensuring
public safety, maintaining the peace and order and enforcing the law in the
respective municipalities. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

DAR, Phil-FIDA team up
for abaca fiber production seminar

By Gil E. Miranda

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 22 –
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte, through its
Project ConVERGE targeted abaca production in the 300-hectare farms of the
Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in four
municipalities (Tubay, Jabonga, Kitcharao and Santiago) of TUJAKITSAN ARC
cluster in Agusan Norte.

In preparation, DAR and the
Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (Phil-FIDA) team up to transfer
the abaca production technology to the owners of the 300-hectares by conducting
a series of seminars.

Phil-FIDA provided on
field training on good agricultural practices and other technical assistance to
the participating abaca-farmers to produce quality abaca fiber.

According to Project
Coordinator Annelyn Chan, around 250 farmers, who will be grouped in nine
batches, will be trained towards the end of 2017.

The first batch of
training held on September 5 to 7 in Brgy. Bangayan, Kitcharao, was
participated by 39 abaca-farmers from the Bangayan Lake View Association (BLA).

After the trainings, the
abaca-farmers will be taught on value-chain enterprise to improve their
production, value addition and marketing.

This seminar addressed
the need to provide knowledge and technologies in order to sustain the
farmer-groups capability efforts. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

DOT-CAR grants skills
trainings for tourism industry workers

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 22
(PIA) - The Department of Tourism (DOT) is set to provide free skills training
to tourism frontliners and workers in line with its goal to improve the
competitiveness of the country’s tourism industry.

DOT Cordillera Regional
Director Venus Tan signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with representatives
of the beneficiaries from the province of Benguet, Kalinga and Ifugao for the
skills training under DOT’s Tourism Industry Skills Program (TISP).

For Ifugao, Tan and
Kiangan Homestay Association President Marivic Bulatao formalized the agreement
for skills training courses on Housekeeping and Service Excellence and Tourism
Innovation and Enterprise program, and seminar on effective customer service
that will benefit 150 tourism workers.

For Kalinga represented
by Provincial Tourism Vice – chair Mila Omengan, training courses to be
undertaken shall be on Tour Provision and Standards, Front Office Operations,
Transport Training, Eco-tourism/Adventure Tourism Product Development and
Enhancement, Housekeeping and Service Excellence and Entrepreneurship
Development involving about 320 beneficiaries.

For Benguet, the TISP
trainings that are set to benefit 160 tourism workers are Housekeeping and
Service Excellence, Food and Beverage Service Training, and Product
Development, Store Layouting and Visual Merchandising.

Tan outlined that the
TISP generally aims to boost the competitiveness of the country’s tourism
workers in terms of customer satisfaction, service standards, especially within
the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) region.

With the service sector
as one of the strength of the tourism industry, there is a need to provide our
stakeholders with skills training that will empower them to reach the line of
excellence and competitiveness geared towards the development goals of
increasing employment, improving income opportunities and increasing tourist
arrivals and receipts, Tan stressed.

Aside from the
partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, DOT
also tapped the Department of Trade and Industry for product and packaging
development, Tan added. (JDP/Carlito C. Dar, PIA CAR)

On the Rice

CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan
del Norte, Sept. 22 – Brgy. Santo Niño, Butuan City has a total rice land area
of 43 hectares and is active in palay production, trading, processing, milling
and marketing through the Santo Niño Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SNMPC).

In response to a program
of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and through the efforts of the City
Agriculturist Office, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) was
registered on August 5, 1991. A total of 55 members and 15 “co-operators” came
up with the paid-up capital of P29,900.00.

Marilyn O. Aranas,
Chairman of the Board of Directors, shared how difficult life was before the
awarding of the Shared Service Facility (SSF) Program by the Department of
Trade and Industry-Agusan del Norte (DTI-AdN) Provincial Office.

“From 1992 to 2014, we
spent a lot on labor and maintained as many as 40 workers during the entire
harvest season of two months (March to May and September to November),” Aranas
said.

Through the SSF, the
cooperative was given three hand pallet trucks that can carry up to 2.5 tons or
50 sacks, one 3-ton capacity lifter, an electronic weighing scale that can
measure up to 2,000 kilos, a bag closer, air compressor, one automatic vacuum
sealer, one manual vacuum sealer and one foot sealer.

“The hand pallet trucks
and lifter alone have cut our labor cost by at least 40 percent, as from the
original 40 workers, we are now down to only 10. The vacuum sealers have
extended shelf life by 4 months. In manual sealing, our rice products would
only last until 2 months. Now it can last until six,” she said.

The SNMPC produces
organic rice of the brown, black and red varieties, as well as white organic
rice, which makes up two percent of their sales. Their tahop or rice bran
brings in 10 percent of their total sales, while their broken rice makes up
another two percent. Their organic inputs of vermicast, vermicom post and
vermitea, sold directly to their farmer-members, bring in two percent.
Commercial rice makes up 76 percent of their total sales.

“We are grateful for the
assistance from DTI-AdN. They taught us proper packaging and provided us with
excellent quality plastic bags and stickers to make our products look more
attractive to consumers,” Aranas said.

The cooperative is
currently busy with the packaging and delivery of 650 packs of mixed brown,
black and red organic rice to a mall in Bohol, whose representative they met
through a business matching activity initiated by DTI-AdN.

Through DTI-AdN, they
were also able to gather orders for their different organic rice varieties
during the 2015 and 2016 Mindanao Trade Expos in Davao City. The recent Reverse
Trade Fair, the first of its kind and organized by DTI-AdN in Butuan City also
allowed them to meet sellers from Gingoog, Cabadbaran and nearby Remedios T.
Romualdez.

They have recently had
to turn down an order of 300 to 400 bags per month from an interested Manila
buyer due to El Niño, which has made seedlings hard to come by.

The SNMPC has since
grown to reach 389 members. They are currently enjoying the use of their own
building, completed last April 2017, which houses a conference hall, a training
room and a packaging room. (DTI-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

DOT, DPWH, USAID conduct
validation for TRIP projects in Dinagat

SAN JOSE, Dinagat
Islands, Sept. 22 (PIA) – The members of the validating team from the
Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),
and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) conducted
validations for the proposed Tourism Road Infrastructure Projects (TRIP) to be
implemented in the province of Dinagat Islands.

According to Vice
Governor Benglen B. Ecleo, the proposed projects are part of DOT’s convergence
project with the DPWH dubbed “Convergence Program for Enhancing Tourism
Access.”

“The TRIP project was
created through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that seeks to
boost tourism infrastructure projects in priority tourist destination areas in
the Philippines,” Ecleo said.

The validation was also
attended by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Chairperson on Tourism, Board Member
Joslyn Ecleo and the staff of Provincial Tourism and Culture Office.
(APE/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

Major highlights, side
events line up for international surfing festival in Siargao

By John Glenn A. Platil

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao
del Norte, Sept. 22 - The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Caraga and Surigao del
Norte 1st district representative Francisco Jose ‘Bingo’ Matugas II have beefed
up meaningful activities for the 23rd Siargao International Surfing Cup
scheduled on September 23-30, 2017 in General Luna town of Siargao Island.

A Grand Panambay
(Medical Mission) was conducted in Barangays Poblacion and Bailan on September
18 through the Provincial Health Office.

On September 19, the
elementary school covered court was turned over during the General Luna and
Management Committee (ManCom) meeting. Different activities, such as One Stop
Shop for Rabies-Free Siargao, the opening of Tiangge! Tiangge sa Siargao Agri
Fair, were conducted on September 20. The Agri Fair featured a boodle lunch and
the Agri-Aqua Sector Meeting.

The launching of the
eco-friendly septic tank took over on September 21. The following day, the town
celebrated the feast day of Señor Santo Tomas and the inauguration of the
Siargao Circumferential Road.

The VIP Breakfast at the
Siargao capitol was set on September 23, as well as the groundbreaking of
General Luna Trauma Center, Magpupungko Lunch, launching of Cuban Model and
opening ceremonies of the World Surfing Cup.

The surfing tournament
proper was set on September 24, followed by a press conference on the Cuban
model, Work Summit (Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan), opening of invitational beach
volleyball, Hataw sa Isla nan Siargao: free zumba, Pahugjaw sa Siargao: senior
citizens and PWDs talent search, and awarding ceremonies of Agri Fair Exhibits,
which will continue up to the 29th.

The closing and awarding
ceremonies of the internationally-acclaimed surfing tournament are fixed on
September 30, this year, along with the Siargao Surfing Festival.
(PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

The Green Potential

The Trainor

“I wasn’t very
interested. I was hesitant and uncooperative to a point,” laughed Ma. Elena S.
Mercado, Trainor and Consultant of Ivory 07 Arts and Crafts Association. It was
in 2010 and she attended a training on basic weaving using stalks of water
hyacinth. “I thought the quality of the bags we made left much to be desired.”

In 2011, Mercado
attended a follow-through of the training that impressed upon its participants
a high standard of quality. They made bags and brought their creations to the
Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export
promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Their bags were
sold out, but they could not deliver the volume that the buyers needed. Her
curiosity and interest had grown during this time.

The following year,
Mercado, now a Business Development Specialist, requested for a basic training
on weaving using water lily through the Rural Micro-enterprise Promotion
Program (RuMEPP). The training included 35 participants, all Gender and
Development (GAD) Focal Persons from the different barangays of Butuan City, in
partnership with the Commission on Population (POPCOM).

The 3-day training
involved three levels: bleaching, dyeing and weaving workshops; a pricing and
costing with time and motion (productivity) training; and marketing exposures
for their slippers during the Araw ng Agusan del Norte, different fiestas and
finally, the Mindanao trade Expo (MTE) in Davao City. Mercado found that
slippers were more competitive than bags, and, together with the other members,
they continued developing their products through different market tests.

The Association’s name,
Ivory .07, stemmed from the .07 budget from the Internal Revenue Allotment
(IRA) remitted by the barangays to the city for women’s projects, through
RuMEPP.

Ivory .07 facilitated
trainings and provided starter kits, which included stalks of dried water
hyacinths, rubber soles, glue, patterns, a pail, a pair of scissors and dyes to
the participants. The kits, if used properly, would give the women an income of
P2,000.00 by producing 20 pairs of slippers.

Between 2013 and 2014,
enhancement trainings gave the Association the confidence they needed to
participate in the National Fashion Fair, where they enjoyed a sale of
P30,000.00 in only 5 days. The event also allowed them to meet one of their
most memorable clients, who placed two orders of 150 pairs of slippers for her
boutique at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Ivory .07’s slippers
were launched at the MTE in 2014, and enjoyed a warm reception from buyers. It
was also around this time that the Association sent slipper samples to Japan
through Manila FAME, a premier trade show for buyers. Unfortunately, the group
was not able to make good on the order for 2,800 pairs because of the damage
left by typhoon Agaton.

Unfazed, Mercado took a
course on footwear given by the Philippine Footwear Federation Inc. (PFFI) in
Marikina, Metro Manila, to study foot anatomy and standard sizing. This
opportunity allowed her to obtain a shoe made by Otto’s patternmaker, to use in
the production of their slippers.

In 2015, Mercado trained
different women’s groups in Barangays Village 2 in Libertad, Mahay, Baan and
Tiniwisan in Butuan City to share the water hyacinth opportunity and meet both
local and regional demands for their slippers.

Today, the Ivory .07
Association is a regular participant to the MTEs and sets up a booth during the
yearly Kadayawan Festival. The Association has snagged a contract with
Robinsons Place Butuan for 100 pairs of slippers per quarter or 400 pairs per
year. Mercado and some members have also participated in the Brunei
International Trade & Consumer Exhibition (BITC).

“I always knew she had
it in her,” Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Norte Provincial
Director Gay A. Tidalgo says about Mercado. “I saw how her drive and talent
could fuel absorption and enjoyment in trainings. I knew that she would be an
effective and successful trainor,” Tidalgo added.

The Trainee

In 2011, Mylene Musico
Cutor, a GAD Focal Person for Barangay Holy Redeemer, Butuan City, was invited
by POPCOM to attend a workshop on water hyacinth slippers.

With other participants,
she trained in the mornings and had a finished product in the afternoons. For
three days at seven hours per day, they learned the step-by-step process of
creating bags and slippers – from braiding stalks to gluing soles. Upon
completion of the workshop, she had five pairs of rubber soles that served as
her “assignment.”

The basic training
extended to bleaching, dyeing, and learning how to braid both natural and dyed
materials. On their third level of their training, they learned price and
costing and prepared their creations for assessment by their trainor, Ma. Elena
S. Mercado, who they call Ma’am Bing.

In 2012, Cutor, along
with her family of six, had been able to produce up to 50 pairs of slippers in
just two weeks, which they sold for P75.00 per pair at the Mindanao Trade Expo
in Davao. She has since participated in events such as the Adlaw Hong Butuan
and other MTEs, selling as many as a hundred pairs of slippers at P100.00 per
pair.

Through the Shared
Service Facility (SSF) Program of the Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan
del Norte, Cutor was awarded two semi-heavy duty sewing machines and a
cylindrical sewing machine for leather shoes and bags in October 2013.

This assistance allowed
Cutor to make enough slippers to bring to the Congressional Spouses Foundation,
Inc. Trade Fair, where 180 of 200 pairs were sold at P130.00 per pair. “We had
a 20 percent increase in production because of the SSF, and we’re making
between 20 to 50 pairs per week, which sold at P150.00 per pair (for women) and
P175.00 per pair (for men). With this production strength, we were able to give
special prices to bulk buyers at P130.00 and P150.00, respectively,” Cutor
shares.

In 2014, she and her
family were paying out-of-school youth to harvest water hyacinth stalks from a
nearby lagoon at 10 centavos per stalk, which they then sun-dried for a week.
The process ensured that the slippers would allow at least a year’s use.

Cutor, now the proud
owner of Cutor’s Handicrafts, experiences a better quality of life and earns at
least P30,000.00 a month. “I am able to provide more for my family and give
them simple pleasures. Before being a member of the Ivory .07 Association, my
Barangay Nutrition Scholarship allowed me to earn only P4,000.00 a month. My
husband, a carpenter, could only provide so much,” she adds.

Since 2011, Cutor has
been featured in at least two media formats: an episode in ABS-CBN Davao’s
Magtv Na, Magnegosyo Ta in 2015, and an article in Manila Bulletin in 2016.
(DTI-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

LPCC Cabadbaran
revitalized under the new leadership

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 22 –
With her desire to ensure the protection of consumers from undue increases of
prices of basic necessities and prime commodities, Cabadbaran City Mayor
Katrina Marie O. Mortola issued Executive Order No. KM 027 dated August 7,
2017, creating the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) in the city.

The LPCC immediately
convened on August 25 to formalize the reorganization, to review the Price Act
of the Philippines and start identifying their activities and projects..

Among the initial
activities identified are: maintenance of the “Timbangan ng Bayan” now
installed at the City Public Market and at the “Taboan”; and the conduct of an
inspection of weighing scales or “Operation Timbangan” during the Consumer
Welfare month celebration in October 2017.

Member agencies such as
the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DAR),
Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) are likewise mandated to conduct regular price monitoring as
part of the their activities. The LPCC Secretariat under the Office of the City
Administrator will draft the overall plan of the LPCC for deliberation and
approval during their next meeting.

Under the Price Act of
the Philippines (RA 7581), Local Price Coordinating Councils (LPCC) are to be
created in order to coordinate and rationalize programs to stabilize prices and
supply of basic necessities and prime commodities in the provinces, cities and
municipalities, especially during emergency situations and like occasions.
(DTI-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)